,YLEASP OmbudsmanªKAnswering4	IClearJContinue Database (DEntering The Menu Selector Character^6HEntering Your Name╚<
HEntering a Path NameCIEntering the Configuration File Directoryi?CEntering the Registration Number:*FExit to DOS╦KFile Operations-
JLoad Databased-HMode Selection0FHNew User┘GAProblem Reporting5CQuiz Completedy1JRandomªE
CRegistering Q&ASA╫+
HSave Database and Exit to DOS:CScreen Fast#;>Screen Mediumµ;>Screen Slow▒8
BScreen Updatingÿ#
ISelecting a Fileà!HSelecting a Saved Database,/JSequential┴'HSet Menu Selectorl%
JSet Screen Colors∩@ISetting the Screen Colorsê5@The Name Command╦FUsing the Menu System~THelp For New Users

~BIntroduction

Q&ASA is a computerized testing program and a study aid that presents
questions from a database and verifies and scores your answers. The
size of the database is restricted only by the amount of memory avail-
able. A typical limit would be 3000 questions and their answers. You
must create a database before Q&ASA can be used. A database compiler
is included with the Q&A Study Aid package, and is called Q&AC.

Q&ASA provides many features, including timed quizzes, automatic log-
ging to a score file, question weighting, and is easy to use.

~BThe Q&ASA Help System

Q&ASA provides context-sensitive help using the F1 key. The help key
is always active, and will provide you with instructions pertinent
to the operation you are performing, or are expected to perform.

Once in the help system, a highlighted bar will appear at the bottom
of the help window. This bar tells you which keys you may use at that
time. If the help context has more than one page, the PgDn and End
keys will be shown, telling you that another (and possibly more) page
follows the one you are viewing.

One of the options in the highlighted bar will be "F1 = Help Index" if
you have just called up a Help screen. Pressing F1 at this time will
display the first page of the Help index. Using the PgUp, PgDn, Home,
End, and the cursor keys, you may move the highlighted selector bar
to any of the Help subjects in the list. Pressing F1 again will display
the Help screen for that subject. You may not call up another index
once you have indexed to a Help screen, but you may back out to the
previous screen, the index, by pressing ESC. You may press ESC again
to get back to your original help screen, or you may select a different
Help subject from the index.


~BQ&ASA Menus

Q&ASA supports a pull-down menu system. All commands consist of one or
two letters and are selected by pressing '/' followed by one or two
letters and Return [─┘]. As you become familiar with the commands,
you may use the faster ALT-key selection mode, in which one or two
letters are entered while holding down the ALT key. This method does
not require the use of the slash key or the Return key.

You may exit Q&ASA using the ALT+F/ALT+X key sequence, which is the
same as /FX <RET> (File/eXit).

When the slash (/) key is pressed, you will see MENU in the top right
corner of the screen. This tells you that Q&ASA expects you to enter
a command. Pressing the HELP key [F1] at this time will provide help
on the menu system.


~BThe Command Line

Q&ASA does not require any command-line parameters. It will, however,
allow you to specify the name of a database, which will be loaded by
Q&ASA automatically. You do not need to include the extension; if you
do, Q&ASA will change it as needed.

~TIMPORTANT

If you have previously saved a database, Q&ASA will restore the saved
database rather than reload it. If you wish to restart a database that
has been previously saved, do not specify the database on the command
line; rather, use the /FL (File/Load) command to force the database to
be reloaded. THIS WILL ALSO DESTROY ANY SAVED DATABASE OF THE SAME NAME.
~TUsing Q&ASA Menus

The topmost area of the Q&ASA screen is the MENU area. It is used to
select the various options used by Q&ASA and to enter commands. Each
item in the menu window will expand when selected if it has options
below it.

The left and right cursor keys move between menu items; each item is
expanded as it is selected. Similarly, the up and down cursor keys are
used to select from an expanded menu list. You may also use the letter
that is highlighted on any option to select that option. For example,
you may exit Q&ASA using any of the methods on the following page.


     /FX ─┘                      ── Menu/File/Exit/Enter
     ALT+F ALT+X                  ── File/Exit
     / Left Down .. Down ─┘      ── Manually

You may use the HELP key [F1] AT ANY TIME while in the menu system. To
find out what a command does, point to it so that it is highlighted,
then press HELP. The Help window will appear with an explanation of
that command.
~TAnswering a Question

To answer a question presented by Q&ASA, simply type your answer when asked
for your response. Press RETURN to submit your answer. You may not enter
a blank answer. You may edit your answer is you wish BEFORE you submit it
by using the cursor keys, INS, DEL, and Ctrl-shifted cursor keys.

If you do not wish to answer a question, press ESCape. Q&ASA will display
the next question if there is one. You will NOT BE SCORED on the question
you skipped. After you have answered all other questions, Q&ASA will again
present all questions you skipped (except in random mode, where you may be
asked questions in any order). You may elect to skip any question again.
You are scored ONLY when you answer a question.

Each question has a 'weight' associated with it. The number of points a
question is assigned is always displayed to the right of the answer area.
This weight is a percentage ratio relative to 100.00%, and indicates the
number of points you will be awarded if you answer correctly.

Q&ASA will check your answer against the database, and update your score.
If you answer incorrectly, Q&ASA will display the correct answer (unless
this feature has been turned off in the database).

There may be a time limit associated with the database. If so, the time
you have remaining will be displayed on the left side of the Scoring area.
If you do not answer all questions in this time period, Q&ASA will stop you
and score any unanswered questions as incorrect. If there is no time limit,
Q&ASA will display "No Limit".
~TFile Operations

Use this option group to load or continue a database file or to exit Q&ASA.
~T/FL : Loading a Database File

The File/Load Database option will display a list of all Q&ASA database
files in the directory you specify. Selecting a file with the bar pointer
and RETurn will cause the index for that database to be read into memory
and the first question will be displayed. The timer will also be started
at this time if there is a time limit to answer all questions. The new
database will replace any already in memory.

You will first be asked to specify the name of the directory containing
your database files. Simply press ENTER to accept the displayed directory,
which defaults to the directory that you started Q&ASA from. You may edit
the directory if you wish; Q&ASA will remember the new directory.
~T/FC : Continue With a Previous Database

This command allows you to continue with a database that you previously
saved with the /FS (Save and Exit) command. The information needed to
restore the database to its previous state is saved in a file with the
same base name as the database, but with an extension of ".SAV". You may
have different .SAV files for the same database in different directories
if you wish.

The File/Continue Database option will display a list of all saved Q&ASA
database files in the directory you specify. Selecting a file with the bar
pointer and RETurn will cause the index for that database to be read into
memory as well as the state of the database when it was last saved. The
restored database will replace any already in memory. If there are no
saved databases, then "[none]" will be displayed.

You will first be asked to specify the name of the directory containing
your database files. Simply press ENTER to accept the displayed directory,
which defaults to the directory that you started Q&ASA from. You may edit
the directory if you wish; Q&ASA will remember the new directory.
~TSelecting a Saved Database

To select a saved database file, use the UP and DOWN cursor keys to move
through the list, or PGUP and PGDN to move by page, or HOME and END to
move to the top or bottom of the list, respectively. You may also locate
the first file whose filename begins with any character by pressing that
character. Pressing that character repeatedly steps through all files
beginning with that character.

Once selected, the database file is loaded and restored to the state it
was in when it was saved.
~TSelecting a File

To select a file, use the UP and DOWN cursor keys to move through the
list, or PGUP and PGDN to move by page, or HOME and END to move to the
top or bottom of the list, respectively. You may also locate the first
file whose filename begins with any character by pressing that character.
Pressing that character repeatedly steps through all files beginning with
that character.

Once selected, the database file is loaded for use by Q&ASA.
~T/FE : Set Screen Colors

Select this command to change the screen colors from their current values.
A configuration screen will appear showing how to do this. The function
keys are used to set the various foreground and background colors used by
Q&A. A simulated menu will display the effect of your changes. You may
save the new screen colors to a file by pressing RETURN, or cancel the
changes by pressing ESCape. For the full effect of the changes to be seen
while using Q&A, you should exit Q&A and restart it, which will load the
new colors from the configuration file Q&ASA.CFG.
~T/FE : Set Menu Selector

Select this command to change the character used to enter the menu. This
character can be changed to any value in the range '!' through '~'. If
you press ENTER, the character will be saved in the configuration file
and used each time Q&ASA is started. Use ESCape to cancel the change.
~TEntering The Menu Selector Character

Enter the character you wish to use to invoke the menu system. This
character can be changed to any value in the range '!' through '~'.
If you press ENTER, the character will be saved in the configuration
file and used each time Q&ASA is started. Use ESCape to cancel.
~T/FX : Exit Q&ASA

Select this option to quit Q&ASA and return to DOS.

~TIMPORTANT

If you use this command before you have completed a quiz in progress,
your score file will be updated with your current score and a note
indicating that you quit Q&ASA before answering all questions. It will
also erase any saved database file associated with the database, so
you will not be able to continue later.
~T/FS : Save Database and Exit to DOS

Select this command to save the state of a database so that you may
return and continue with it later using the /FC (File/Continue) command.
The database will be saved and you will be returned to DOS.

~TIMPORTANT

THIS COMMAND WILL NOT WORK WITH DATABASES THAT HAVE A TIME LIMIT. You
will receive an error message and the command will be ignored.
~TMode Selection

The Mode Selection menu allows you to select the method used to obtain
the next question from the database. You may change modes as often as
you wish; Q&ASA will not present any question you have already answered.

~TIMPORTANT

Q&ASA may ignore a request to change the mode. This will occur if the
mode has been locked via a command in the database. You will not receive
any indication other than the mode will not be changed.
~T/MS : Sequential Order

Select the Sequential mode to tell Q&ASA that you wish to read questions
from the database in the same order as they appear in the database. When
the last question has been answered, Q&ASA will display your final score.

You may force Q&ASA to start over by selecting "Mode/Clear", provided that
the Clear command has not been locked out by a command in the database.

~TIMPORTANT

Q&ASA may ignore a request to change the mode. This will occur if the mode
has been locked via a command in the database. Otherwise, you may change
modes as you wish.
~T/MA : Random Order

Use this option to tell Q&ASA that you wish to answer questions in random
order. Q&ASA will keep track of questions you have answered and will not
display a question you have already answered. The next question is always
chosen randomly from the set of questions you have not answered.

You may force Q&ASA to start over by selecting "Mode/Clear", provided that
the Clear command has not been locked out by a command in the database.

~TIMPORTANT

Q&ASA may ignore a request to change the mode. This will occur if the mode
has been locked via a command in the database. Otherwise, you may change
modes as you wish.
~T/MC : Clear Scoring

Use this option to reset the scoring back to zero and to cause sequential
access to start at the beginning of the database.

~TIMPORTANT

Q&ASA will ignore the Clear command if this option has been locked out in
the database.
~TYou Have Completed The Quiz

Your score is shown as well as the elapsed time. You may quit Q&ASA
or load another database.
~T/N : The Name Command

Use the Name command to give your name and/or other identifying
information to Q&ASA. Your name will be placed in the score file
(if enabled) and displayed when you complete the quiz.
~TEntering Your Name

Enter your name now. The following editing keys are available.

        Cursor Movement                         Editing
───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────
Cursor right   Move cursor right   │  Control-End    Clear buffer
Cursor left    Move cursor left    │  Backspace      Backspace
Home           Start of line       │  Insert         Toggle insert mode
End            End of line         │  Delete         Delete character
Tab            Tab right           │  Return         Accept
Shift-Tab      Tab left            │
~TControlling Screen Updating

Use this command group to control screen updating. These commands
determine how Q&ASA accesses the screen memory.

~CNote

Q&ASA automatically determines what video hardware you have, and
selects the fastest available screen access method. You should not
need this option group unless you experience 'snow' effects.
~T/SF : Set Screen to Fast Updating

Use this command to get the fastest possible screen updating. Q&ASA
will not wait for any signal before it writes to the screen memory.
Q&ASA automatically selects this mode if you have a VGA, EGA, or
monochrome adapter card.
~T/SM : Set Screen to Medium-Speed Updating

Use this command if you have trouble with 'snow'. It instructs
Q&ASA to write to the screen memory only during the horizontal
blanking interval.
~T/SS : Set Screen to Slow-Speed Updating

Use this command to eliminate all 'snow' effects. It instructs
Q&ASA to write to the screen memory only during the vertical
blanking interval. This is the slowest updating mode.
~TEntering a Directory Name

Enter the name of the directory containing your Q&ASA database files.
You may use the following editing keys:

        Cursor Movement                         Editing
───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────
Cursor right   Move cursor right   │  Control-End    Clear buffer
Cursor left    Move cursor left    │  Backspace      Backspace
Home           Start of line       │  Insert         Toggle insert mode
End            End of line         │  Delete         Delete character
Tab            Tab right           │  Return         Accept
Shift-Tab      Tab left            │  Escape         Cancel
~TEntering Your Registration Number

You must have been supplied a registration number by Quid Pro Quo
Software by sending in the registration form included in the Q&ASA
package with the appropriate registration fee. Enter this number
in the space provided and press ENTER. If the number is valid, your
copy will be registered. If you do not wish to register, press the
ESCape key.
~TSetting the Screen Colors

Use the function keys to change the colors. Each depression will cycle
one foreground ("FG") or one background ("BG") color through its 16
possible values.

If you wish to save the new color settings, press the RETURN key to exit
and save the settings. If you wish to cancel the changes you have made,
press the ESCape key. The new colors will be in effect on all new screens
displayed by Q&A; however, to see the full effect of the changes, you
must exit and restart Q&A to cause all screens to use the new colors.
~KEntering the Configuration File Directory

Q&A is not able to locate a configuration file. This will occur the first
time you execute Q&A, or whenever the configuration file is located in a
directory other than the current working directory and that directory is
not in the PATH environment string.

If this is the first time you have executed Q&A, enter the directory in
which the configuration file is to reside, or leave the entry blank to
select the current working directory. If you enter a directory name, it
should be the name of a directory in the PATH environment variable, or
this screen will appear each time you execute Q&A.
~TRegistering Q&A Study Aid

To register your copy of Q&A Study Aid, complete the registration
form supplied with Q&A Study Aid and return it with the appropriate
registration fee to Quid Pro Quo Software at the address shown on
the registration form. You will receive a registration number and
instructions for entering this number into Q&ASA, along with our
thanks for your support of Q&A Study Aid. Registered users will
also receive notification of upgrades, and we will send you a disk
for a nominal fee, or upload it to a bulletin board near you.
~TIf You Experience A Problem

If you encounter any difficulty with Q&A Study Aid, and you are
a registered user, please contact Quid Pro Quo Software at the
address listed in the manual, or via CompuServe using an EasyPlex
message to us at [73760,2032]. We will make every effort to solve
the problem. If you have discovered a bug, you will receive free
of charge a diskette containing the corrected upgrade, already
registered for you, as well as the distribution archive that you
may distribute to others.

Quid Pro Quo Software regrets that we are not able to support
unregistered users, although we would like to know about any
problems you may encounter.

Please provide as much information as you can, including your
system configuration, the TSRs you have loaded, your DOS version,
and a complete description of the problem and how you produced
it. The more information you provide, the faster we can solve
the problem. INCLUDE THE COMPLETE SERIAL NUMBER FROM THE OPENING
SCREEN IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE. This number provides us with some
additional information about your system, as well as identifying
your copy of Q&ASA.
~TThe Association of Shareware Professionals and the ASP Ombudsman

              ┌─────────┐
        ┌─────┴───┐     │              (tm)
      ──│         │o    │──────────────────
        │   ┌─────┴╨──┐ │  Association of
        │   │         │─┘  Shareware
        └───│    o    │    Professionals
      ──────│    ║    │────────────────────
            └────╨────┘    MEMBER

Quid Pro Quo Software is a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-
related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly,
ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a
dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical
support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at
P.O. Box 5786, Bellevue, WA 98006 or send a CompuServe message via
EasyPlex to ASP Ombudsman [70007,3536].
